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English Mountain fire being investigated as possible arson

Firefighters have contained the scene of a a wildfire on English Mountain in Sevier County that has consumed roughly 300 acres and forced the evacuation of 30-40 homes, according to Nathan Waters, assistant district forester with the East Tennessee District of the Tennessee Division of Forestry Administration.

He said the fire is being investigated as a possible arson.

'It's suspected,' Waters said. 'If anybody has any information about any suspicious activity, we encourage them to call the (Sevier County) sheriff's department.'

The fire was reported about 9 p.m. Monday in the 1200 block of Sourwood Honey Drive, according to English Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Chief Peter Kleiman.

'It started as about a half-acre brush fire,' Kleiman said. 'We don't know the cause.

'The wind kicked in and the fire blossomed.'

The Sevier County and Caton's Chapel volunteer fire departments were already helping with the blaze on the east side of the mountain, and Kleiman said about 10 p.m. he called for all of the county's fire departments.

The Tennessee Division of Forestry brought in bulldozers and is cut a line around the fire, Kleiman said.

Kleiman estimated as many as 50 to 75 firefighters were on the mountain at one point. No injuries have been reported.

The American Red Cross has set up a shelter for displaced residents at the Pigeon Forge Community Center.

Waters said that English Mountain fire crews are monitoring the scene throughout the day Tuesday for any flare ups. He added that, with wind kicking up in East Tennessee, the Tennessee Division of Forestry Administration is not issuing burn permits.

More details as they develop online and in Wednesday's News Sentinel.

Read or Share this story: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2016/04/05/english-mountain-fire-being-investigated-as-possible-arson/90893104/